Tag Archives


Ask Gardenerd: Growing Chicken Feed

Posted on June 24, 2015 by Christy

Heads-up homesteaders, this Ask Gardenerd question is for you: “I want to start having my chickens eat things from the earth, than from the store. They are were born in April. I saw your video on YouTube about making that … Continue reading →

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When Life Gives You Destruction: The Pumpkin Massacre

Posted on September 3, 2013 by Christy

Each year, we grow our own pumpkins for Halloween and winter pumpkin puree-based desserts. Most years it goes well, but this year’s results left much to be desired. It all started out so good… We planted Rouge Vif e’Etampes (AKA … Continue reading →

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Chicken Forage Mix: The Feeding

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Christy

Awhile back, we started planting a special blend of legumes, grasses and greens from Peaceful Valley Farm for our hens to forage, and we wrote about it in June. The day of truth came when the mix had grown tall … Continue reading →

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A Chicken and Her Cankles

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Christy

Just like gardening, where you mostly learn as you grow, chicken keeping is proving to have the same learning curve. Polly the Barred Rock in
particular, has kept us on our toes this week.

At first, we thought she might be a ‘he’, since her legs and feet began to look much thicker than her sisters. It’s not entirely uncommon to discover your hen is a rooster if her comb changes color
or the legs thicken up (or …
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Chicken Update: Blanche, You’re a Woman Now

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Christy

Many readers have asked that we post regular updates about our new chickens, and since Blanche – our Barnevelder – recently reached a
milestone, it felt like a good time to send one out. Yes, Blanche started laying, and we were there to witness her first day.

It’s not something that you read in books. In fact, it is often not even implied, but what we saw Blanche endure that day was nothing less than a rite of …
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2012 Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Christy

Spring is less than a month away, and that means that garden tours will soon be populating our calendars. Garden tours are a great way to “fill
the well”, to get ideas for your own garden, re-awaken the dormant gardener that has been sleeping all winter, and even solve problems with your landscaping.

The Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase, on April 21, 2012, is a free tour that features not only amazing gardens,
but …
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Chickens – Part 2: The Arrival

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Christy

[Cue movie voice over guy]

It’s been two years in the making…

But now they’ve come…

And No One knows what to expect…It’s…

[Cue percussive orchestral filler music]

Chicken Invasion

Already exhibiting personality…

Our story continues from last week’s post.

Our pullets arrived late …
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Chickens – Part 1: Building the Coop

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Christy

In an effort to expand our garden ecosystem, we’ve gone the way of the farmer, adding backyard chickens to our list of on-site resources. This
is the story of how we got started. We intend to share the process in hopes of making it easier for others who plan to do the same.

We spent two years researching and being skittish about getting them, while everyone with chickens kept saying, “Just get them!”  2012 rolled around, as did …
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